Hiking With An Insulin Pump-experience With Altitude?

[Nomi]

Hi all,

I have always wanted to go to macchu pichu in Peru and want to start preparing myself for it with other hikes etc. If anyone has any experiences to share regarding long hikes and how they managed their BG that would be awesome

I have the aviva insight pump, I don't know if it will survive either the temperature or the altitude? I have to unhook on planes during take off and landing to deal with air bubbles, what happens when the change in altitude is much slower?

I plan on getting in touch with the manufacturer to find out the limits of the pump if possible and speak to my diabetic nurse, but to be honest I'd rather have advice from people that live with this everyday!

Thanks for your help guys

Nom

 

[Chas C]

I cannot comment on Machu Picchu specifically, but google gives the height as just under 2.5km. Two years ago I was in the French Alps in the summer and took the ski lift to the top meadows and these were just over 2.5km. I was using the older Accu Check Combo then rather than the Insight but all was fine.

BTW I fly every three months or so long haul and I never disconnect for take off or landing.

I have not hiked like your planning, but have done intensive white water multi day kayaking trips where for a for a day or so I did not need any insulin. If it was me I'd reduce my basal (by around 30%) a few hours before I start the hike and then test every hour or so and adjust my basal as needed, as I have a CGM so its easier for me to see what impact the hike is having in almost real time.